Research Assistant in Gene Editing of Human Stem Cells

The Rydén & Mejhert laboratory is a multidisciplinary research group of 15–20 members, including postdoctoral fellows, PhD and master’s students, and technical staff. We are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, encompassing a comprehensive preclinical laboratory at Biomedicum and a dedicated clinical research unit at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge. Using these resources, we focus on understanding how alterations in human white adipocyte function contribute to cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis.

Your mission

We are recruiting a research assistant to lead a project aimed at establishing a gene-editing pipeline in mesenchymal stem cells using Cas9-mediated engineering. The edited cells will subsequently be differentiated into adipocytes to enable studies of protein localization, interaction partners, and function in human fat cells.

As a research assistant in our team, you will play a central role in developing and optimizing these gene editing strategies. This includes testing approaches such as integrase-deficient viral vectors, electroporation with different repair templates, and evaluating strategies to enhance homology-directed repair.

Through this work, you will gain advanced training in molecular and cell biology techniques and collaborate closely with experts within the group as well as external collaborators. The position is embedded in a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment with strong links to clinical studies and translational metabolic research, providing excellent opportunities for scientific development, collaboration, and career advancement.

This is a 6-month position, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 6 months.

Your profile

To qualify, you should hold at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a biomedical discipline or equivalent and have prior experience working in an experimental laboratory. Practical experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques is highly meritorious. This includes methods such as cloning, Cas9-mediated gene editing, viral vector work, flow cytometry, microscopy, and related approaches. In addition, the ideal candidate is well organized and able to plan/execute experimental work independently while managing several tasks in parallel. Careful documentation of experiments and data is expected, and you should have a strong commitment to maintaining high experimental quality and reproducibility. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required for effective communication, manuscript preparation, and collaboration within an international research environment.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Solna

Read more about the Rydén and Mejhert research group

Application

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system. In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form.

Type of employment: Special fixed-term employment
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100 %
City: Solna
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-1062/2026

Contact:
1. Niklas Mejhert, recruitment manager, niklas.mejhert@ki.se
2. Anna Heinerö, HR-Partner, anna.heinero@ki.se

Union representative:
1. Peter Svensson, SACO, peter.svensson@ki.se
2. Mari Gilljam, OFR, mari.gilljam@ki.se
3. Elizabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, elizabeth.valenzuela@ki.se

Published: 2026-03-11
Last application date: 2026-04-09